Kathy was known for her contagious sense of humor, her devotion to her husband Bob, their two children and three grandchildren, and for being a loyal friend to many.
A lifelong Nashville resident, she grew up in Green Hills, the daughter of the late Glova Beatrice Rigsby Allen and Isaac Monroe Allen. She was graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1971, and attended Peabody College.
She received her R.N. from Belmont University, in 1975, and worked as a neurosurgery stepdown nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for 20 years before retiring to spend more time with her family.
She and Bob (Dr. Robert S. Elam) were high school sweethearts and were married in 1978. They were longtime and loyal Vanderbilt basketball fans and they loved traveling, especially beach and lake trips with family and friends.
Kathy was a homeroom mother for 12 years in a row, was an avid gardener and enjoyed playing league tennis at Seven Hills Country Club. She also loved to entertain, always making family and friends feel comfortable and appreciated -- and hoping to be invited back.
She was a loving - and fun - mother. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest joy.
In addition to her husband, survivors include their two children: Elizabeth "Libby" Elam Noble (Christian Alexander) and Robert S. "Buck" Elam Jr. (Kerry); and three grandchildren: Reese Kathryn, Wright Alexander, and Emmett Elam Noble. She was predeceased by her brother Thomas Monroe Allen.
There will be a private memorial service for immediate family at her residence.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
